Home > Diving PNG > PNG Cultural Tours

Mask Festival Rabaul

Dates: July
Request for dates and current pricing

PROPOSED ITINERARY

MASK FESTIVAL RABAUL

DAY 1		SING-POM	PX387		08:00
		POM-RABAUL	PX272	09:25	10:50

On arrival in Port Moresby you will be met by our representative and taken directly to down to the domestic airport to connect with your domestic flight to Rabaul. After lunch guests will be taken on a Volcano Harbour Cruise.

Visit the Simpson’s Harbour, Blue Lagoon, the Beehives in the middle of the Harbour and enjoy a more closer view of the active volcano. Return via Pigeon Island, an island inhabited just by pigeons as the name says it all. Enjoy a 20 minute walk around the island and for those interested in snorkeling, snorkel some of the most pristine coral reefs surrounding this little island.

THE BEEHIVES & THE LODGE

DAY 2

Festival

After breakfast this morning you will then be transferred to the first day of the Mask Festival.
VIP tickets have been purchased for our guests.

Baining Fire Dance

A very sacred dance and unique to the East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea. Initiated men dance barefooted on fire without their feet being burnt while wearing Masks that represents spirits of their ancestors.

Asaro Mud men

The famous mudmen from Goroka can also be seen at the Mask Festival. The mudmen comes from a little tribe in the Asaro District of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Legend has it that this little tribe was chased away from their traditional land by a bigger tribe. In order to reclaim their traditional land they made masks that looked like their dead ancestors and used the masks to chase away the bigger clan from their land.

Singsing Group from within East New Britain.
Experience variety for traditional dancing groups from within the province and other parts of Papua New Guinea.

DAY 3		Festival
DAY 4		Festival
DAY 5		Festival
DAY 6		Festival (am)
		Aloutau-POM	PX959	16:45	17:45

After the festival this afternoon guests will be transported to the airport for their transfer to Port Moresby to where you will overnight before connecting with the Tufi Flight tomorrow morning.

DAY 7

POM-Tufi

CG374

06:00

07:00

TUFI EXPERIENCE

Today begins a relaxing day on the ocean after your arrival at the resort and transfer by the Tufi Management Team. You will be taken to Cyclone Reef, a Five Star Dive Site 15 kilometers south east of Tufi which is also excellent for snorkeling. Depart Resort at 10am and spend the next 30 minutes cruising out past the colorful reefs of the Solomon Sea. On the way keep a lookout for dolphins, giant manta rays, turtles and schools of pelagic fish. You will start to see a small dot on the horizon starting to appear, this is our destination. Cyclone reef has a very small coral cay island that is surrounded by a pristine atoll. We tie up to our permanent mooring, (so as not to damage the reef) and you are then briefed by our local expert on the best parts of the reef to go snorkeling. You will then have a guided tour of this magnificent reef experiencing hundreds of different species of colorful fish, beautiful corals, crystal clear water and fantastic drop offs.  

The visibility is unbelievable and upon entering the water it gives you a surreal experience, this is one of the world’s top reefs to snorkel on and observe the vast variety of sea life that Tufi has to offer. Beyond this reef you can encounter some fantastic game fishing grounds that will give you some action packed fishing experiences so the choice is yours. This is a unique day that not many people are fortunate enough to experience. All snorkeling gear and fishing gear is included in tariff.

DAY 8

TUFI NATURE AND CULTURAL DAYS

Tufi has a strong traditional culture. Its history goes back for centuries. In the early 1800's British sailing ships used the Tufi Fjord as a safe harbor and eventually the District Manager's residence was established on the Tufi Station.

The beginning of our exploration of this amazing volcanic tropical fjord system begins today. This morning you will be taken by boat and then by traditional outrigger into the McLaren’s Harbour Fjord. This spectacular Fjord boasts of nature in the rainforest at its finest. Huge palms, wild orchids, sounds of birds and the local villagers in traditional dress will fill your morning with adventure. This experience will take you where the village people demonstrate making of fire and sago processing (a staple starch of Papua New Guineas) taking you into the far streams of McLaren’s Harbour Fjord.

After the tour you will go to Komoa Beach for a BBQ lunch. Komoa beach boasts of a spectacular white sandy tropical beach. This beach has a real tranquil feel, enjoy some great snorkeling, swimming and meet the friendly village people, while our staff cook up some great food served with garden fresh salad and tropical fruits, full bar is available. The Komoa people will welcome you in their traditional way and artifacts can be purchased here.

DAY 9

TUFI NATURE AND CULTURAL DAYS

After breakfast you will be met by the resort’s boat captain and guide. This full day trip involves 3 local villages and a small 1 hour walk. Guests will experience Tufi coastal lowlands and Tufi highlands on this trip. The boat trip from Tufi Wharf is 20 minutes to the first guesthouse at Jebo Village. Lancelot Ginari, the owner of the guesthouse, will greet you upon arrival and show you the facilities and talk about his village.

You will now be joined by other guides who will come with you to Orotoaba Village which is about a 55 minute walk from Jebo inland. Orotoaba is perched on the saddle between two of Tufi’s spectacular fiords, Ibura Bay and Uramanoa Bay. Jackson and Rodney who are village heads of clan provide home stay accommodation and are avid birdwatchers. (Staying in a village home stay is the most authentic ecotourism experience because it allows you to appreciate at close quarters the local culture and environment without impacting significantly upon it.

After arriving at Orotoaba Rodney or Jackson will walk you through the village to view the spectacular Ibura fiord from a height of 150 meters. You will be given fruits and waters and time to relax and enjoy the highlands of Tufi and view the nature, butterflies and bird life.

Your guides will walk you back to Jebo where a boat will be ready to take you to Garewa Village for lunch. This family village is spectacular situated right on the point overlooking white sandy beaches. It has fantastic snorkeling and is a place of peace and harmony. You will return to the Resort late afternoon.

DAY 10

TUFI NATURE AND CULTURAL DAYS

Keikos Reef a thirty minute boat ride to the outer reef area brings you to this newly found reef, one of thousands to be found in these uncharted waters, experience the thrill of snorkeling on a pristine reef that abounds in colorful tropical fish and features spectacular coral, turtles, lobsters and small reef sharks. Guided by our experience team of dive masters who will be on hand to answer your many questions and help you to maximize your experience. 3:30pm back at the resort for sunset cocktails on the viewing deck while enjoying the ambiance of our remote and unique location.

Day 11	TUFI NATURE AND CULTURAL DAYS
	TUFI – POM	CG374	16:40	17:40

An outrigger safari and short work for a relaxing morning where lunch will be set up in the rainforest will be offered on your last day at Tufi. Enjoy the waterfall and the swimming area within this unique rainforest environment. After lunch you will have leisure time to relax and pack for return flight to Port Moresby at 4.10pm.

This afternoon guests will fly back to Port Moresby and overnight before connecting with their flight to Manila tomorrow afternoon.

DAY 12

POM-MANILLA

PX010

18:45

21:45

PORT MORESBY HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Visit: Bomona War Cemetery, Parliament House, Botanical Gardens, Museum, Artifact shopping.

We will drive for 20 minutes out to the Bomona War Cemetery where you will be able to pay homage to the 3375 soldiers that are buried there. Bomona War Cemetery is the largest WW11 cemetery in the South Pacific.

From the Bomona War Cemetery our guests will be taken on a site seeing tour of Port Moresby. We will visit the Botanical Gardens, Museum if open, Parliament House and they will have the opportunity to some artifact shopping.

Guests will then be taken to the Royal Papua Yacht Club for lunch.

PLEASE BRING

• Sunhat
• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Sturdy comfortable walking shoes

INCLUSIONS:

• Airport transfers
• 4 days VIP festival tickets Rabaul
• 5 night’s accommodation Rabaul (all meals)
• ½ day volcano/harbour cruise
• 4 night’s accommodation Tufi Resort (all meal and cultural tours)
• 1 night’s accommodation Port Moresby (all meals)
• Port Moresby City Tour. Pick up and drop off, bottled water and fresh fruit, Lunch at Royal Papua Yacht Club, Site entry fees, experienced guide

EXCLUSIONS:

LAND COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International flights, domestic airfares, visa fees and services of a personal nature. Beverages, laundry charges, phone and fax bills. Food or beverage during leisure time at the Airway Hotel
Please note that if guests would like a full village “Sing Sing” at Tufi Resort this can be arranged on request.
Please book domestic airfares with international airfares. Refer to itinerary for airfare details.